In shopping for carpet cleaning, you may have noticed the word "certified" being used in advertising. You may have seen a logo being used to feature certification. What does it mean to you as a client? Would you be surprised to learn that most carpet cleaning companies have no formal training? That they are not required to be licensed? That there is no requirement to have any certification whatsoever? Is training and certification important? After all, isn't carpet cleaning a "menial" task that anyone can perform?
Actually, a carpet cleaning professional is working with one of your most valuable assets. Should it be trusted with just anyone? Unfortunately, our industry is full of "rogues" that only care about how much money they can get from you, and nothing about the life of your beautiful carpeting. They do not care about the industry in which they work.
Did you know that in many states, air conditioning companies, plumbers and pest control companies are required to be licensed and certified? Not so for carpet cleaners. Fortunately for you, and for me, there are many fine people in the carpet cleaning industry that realize the standard must be raised. Those of us in that process help to police our own industry. In order to do this, associations and certification organizations were created. One such organization is called the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification). This organization provides certification courses and exams for the carpet cleaning industry. By attending these courses, carpet cleaners are taught about fiber identification, carpet construction, cleaning chemistry, cleaning methods, and professionalism.
These valuable concepts equip them to choose proper procedures for cleaning your carpet. The certified firm is on the cutting edge of technology and change in our industry. A certified firm knows the right way to apply cleaning procedures and chemistry. A certified firm is working together with other certified firms to raise the standard of carpet cleaning in general, therefore providing you with a higher quality end product.
For your protection NEVER use a cleaner that is not certified by the IICRC
Michaels Cleaning Systems IICRC Certified firm Certification # 76424
AVOIDING THE CARPET CLEANING SCAM WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A PROFESSIONAL CLEANING JOB
“2 Rooms Cleaned Free” "Whole house $99.95"
“$5.95 Per Room Normal Cleaning” “Free Deodorizing” “Free Carpet Protector”.
Such carpet cleaning ads are seen every day by consumers, but is something
really free? What is normal cleaning? Unsuspecting consumers who are lured by
specials often find themselves victims of bait-and-switch advertising. They
realize, often too late, that these advertised specials have conditions, either
written in small print or not stated at all. They are often told that
“preconditioning” costs extra or that the carpet is too soiled for normal
cleaning at the advertised low price.
Knowing what to expect from a professional carpet cleaning job is difficult. Varying practices and services offered by cleaners just add to the carpet cleaning confusion. What is included in the price? What will cost extra? What are the industry-accepted standard practices of a professional carpet cleaner?
Having the answers to these questions and knowing which questions to ask are essential in avoiding the scam artists when having your carpet professionally cleaned. Educating the consumer on what to expect, and demand, from a professional carpet cleaner and helping to expose unethical practices within the cleaning industry are major goals of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
The IICRC is a nonprofit certification body that sets and promotes high standards and technical proficiency within the cleaning industry. The IICRC has developed a list of what consumers should expect from a professional carpet cleaning job:
Cleaning Standard - The Professional carpet cleaner will follow the guidelines as stated in IICRC S001-2002 Carpet Cleaning Standard.
Trained Technicians - Technicians must be willing to take time to pre-inspect carpet in all of the areas that need cleaning. They must identify the carpet’s construction and fiber, evaluate individual needs and recommend an appropriate cleaning method or procedure. The technician is the key to quality results not a particular method, machine or process.
No Hidden Costs - Consumers have the right to expect itemized services and firm prices before technicians begin each portion of the work sold. While technicians may offer added services such as deodorization and carpet protector at an additional cost, consumers should never feel pressured to accept anything more than the services they request and authorize.
Safety - All cleaning and specialty agents and equipment used before, during and after cleaning must be used in strict accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and appropriate safety regulations.
Customer Satisfaction - Cleaning firms should offer workmanship guarantees in writing. Fiber type, carpet construction, installation and maintenance may present circumstances beyond a cleaning technician’s control; however, responsible workmanship must be implicit in any work performed.
Pre-vacuuming - Technicians should carefully pre-vacuum all carpet before other cleaning techniques are employed, regardless of the method of cleaning used. Special emphasis should be placed on vacuuming major entry areas where soils accumulate.
Furniture Moving - Unless clearly specified otherwise, furniture moving to access and clean carpet underneath should be considered part of the normal cleaning job. Items such as fish tanks, water beds, loaded china cabinets, computers, or extremely delicate or fragile furnishings (pianos, antiques) are considered exceptions.
Spotting - Special attention to spots and stains is included in normal job performance. However, time-consuming specialized spotting or prolonged effort on color-added spots may incur an additional charge. Customers should be advised of additional charges before extensive spotting procedures are undertaken.
Preconditioning - Special treatment with “preconditioning” agents in heavily-soiled entry and traffic areas should be included in the cost of cleaning. However, the job cost may increase in extreme soiling situations and consumers should be advised in advance of the need for such increased charges.
Minimal Drying Time - It is the cleaner’s responsibility, with the consumer’s cooperation, to ensure that the carpet is dried and returned to normal use within a reasonable time frame. The amount of time required for drying will vary with different methods, the degree of soiling and the aggressiveness of cleaning. However, under no circumstances should carpet drying require more than twenty-four (24) hours with proper ventilation. The consumer’s cooperation in providing continuous airflow and/or ventilation to expedite drying cannot be overemphasized.
Thorough Cleaning - There should be no differentiation between “normal” cleaning and “special” cleaning. Clean is clean. Every effort must be made to physically remove as much soil as possible from carpet during cleaning. Further, technicians must take steps to leave fibers as residue free as possible to prevent accelerated re-soiling. When trying to save money by taking advantage of carpet cleaning specials, make sure the specials don’t take advantage of you.
For your protection NEVER
use a cleaner that is not certified by the IICRC
Michaels Cleaning Systems
IICRC Certified firm Certification # 76424
Education – Is It Worth The Money?
Cleaning has historically
been viewed as a commodity - a menial task that anyone can do. Long before
sophisticated textiles and complex indoor environments were created, cleaning
may have been a simple, easy task, but that is no longer the case.Complex flooring systems, sensitive fabrics,
and
New-age soiling conditions
have created a need for advanced education the cleaning industry.
Unfortunately, many cleaners (and consumers) have not understood
this concept. We still see the 4 Rooms for $99.00 and the $6.95 per room for
carpet cleaning and sofa cleaning for $45.00 type of ads. The cleaner puts the
ads out, never intending on cleaning for those prices, and the consuming public
gets the idea that cleaning should be that cheap.
These so called “cleaning”
companies also happen to be the ones that don’t educate themselves or their
employees. The result is that carpets and fabrics are being ruined every day by
uneducated, uninformed, and sometimes downright unscrupulous carpet cleaners.
They are facing soiling
conditions they have never seen or heard of due to a lack of education. Or
worse, they create a situation on a carpet or fabric that they have no idea how
to fix. Some examples would be that they leave sticky residues in the carpet
that causes the carpet or fabric to re-soil rapidly or discolor.
Top-notch education is
readily available in our industry. There is no excuse for cleaners not to
educate themselves (and provide useful education to their clients). Part of the
problem is since they have fallen into the trap of viewing cleaning as a
commodity themselves, they can’t afford to educate themselves. Education is
expensive, but the result of not getting the knowledge necessary is much more
costly.
Michael's Cleaning invests a
great deal in education. Not only do we spend hundreds of dollars per year on
education, we are heavily involved in our industry making us well connected
with our industry leaders. This way, if a unique situation arises in the field,
we have experts that we can call on, bringing the cutting edge of cleaning
technology to you.
Our industry provides
courses in carpet cleaning, repair, fabric cleaning, marble and tile cleaning,
area rug cleaning, customer service, marketing, management, and other related
courses.
Many of the organizations
offer certification programs that involve testing and ethics requirements.
There are trade publications, web-sites, bulletin boards, and a variety of
other opportunities to stay plugged in.
We attend every course we
can in order to bring you the very best. Many of these courses require travel
across the U.S. and can therefore be quite costly. We believe however, as fiber
technology changes and as floor coverings become more complex, proper education
is becoming even more important.
The bottom line is that you
have a tremendous investment in your textiles and flooring systems and it is
our duty to know how to best care for them. Understanding cleaning technology
at the highest level helps to reduce cleaning residues and creates a healthier
indoor environment by eliminating invisible germs and bacteria. It also
empowers the cleaner to remove more soil, therefore creating a longer lasting
fabric or floor.
For immediate release 04-09-2009
Protect Your Family from Asthma by Cleaning
Your Air Ducts Regularly
Does someone in your family suffer from asthma or allergies?
Is there someone living with you who gets sick frequently, apparently with no
cause? If so, then you may want to take a closer look at your air ducts. They
may be packed with dust, mold, and mildew that are seriously hindering your
family's ability to breathe. Getting your air ducts cleaned regularly can
greatly reduce the effects of asthma and other respiratory conditions
Facts About Indoor Air Quality
Perhaps you have seen ads for air duct cleaning and wondered what all the fuss
was about. The fuss is about indoor air quality. If your home has poor air
quality, you can expect find the following in your air ducts:
Whenever you turn on your HVAC system, these particles are blown into your home
to be breathed by your family members. This is known as indoor air pollution,
and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, this is one of the most
dangerous environmental factors we face as a general public. It is particularly
hard on the young and the old. About two-thirds of all indoor air quality
problems stem from mold, mildew, and dust growing and collecting in the air
ducts. These items cause or aggravate about 20% of all illnesses. Since most
people spend at least 60% of their time inside, they are constantly breathing
this dangerous air. Dirty air ducts lead to poor health.
Can Air Duct Cleaning Cure My Asthma?
Air duct cleaning cannot completely cure someone's asthma. Many times the asthma
is triggered by other events, such as over exertion during exercise or outdoor allergens.
However, air duct cleaning can keep asthma symptoms
at bay. In some cases it can even help treat asthma, as it will make the air in
your home cleaner and more breathable. This can reduce the number of triggers
for the asthmatic individual.
How Air Duct Cleaning Helps
Now you know why air ducts could be contributing to your
family's respiratory problems, but you need to know how air duct cleaning can
help. When you have your air ducts cleaned by a professional, the majority of
the mold, mildew, and dust in those ducts are removed. This means that you are
no longer circulating dangerous particles every time you run your HVAC system.
Your family will breathe cleaner, healthier air. Doing this on a regular basis
will greatly cut down on asthma conditions in your home.
When Should Air Ducts Be Cleaned?
Your air ducts should be cleaned on a regular basis, but how often this occurs
depends on many factors. If you have a family member that struggles with
asthma, you will want to increase the frequency of cleanings. However, if you
are cleaning your air ducts to protect your family from the potential of asthma
problems, here are some things you should look for:
- Tremendous amounts of dust around the home
- Dust around air vents
- Mold around air vents
When you notice these symptoms, it is time to call: Michael’s Cleaning Systems at
618-943-4534 or 812-885-0044.
Also, if someone in
your home is struggling with illness on a regular basis with no other apparent
reason, you may have a dust or mold problem in your air ducts. Yearly cleanings
cannot hurt, either, particularly if there is a history of asthma in your
family.
If you feel it is time for your air ducts to be cleaned, contact Michael’s Cleaning Systems your local
air duct cleaners. Avoid going for the discounted special you receive in your
mailbox. Since your family's health is at stake, take advantage of our FREE Exclusive Healthy Home Inspection.
Soon you will be breathing clean, healthy air again! Call Us TODAY:
812-885-0044 or 618-943-4534
"Absolutely The Most
Thorough Duct Cleaning Guaranteed" or It’s FREE !!!
